Choosing the educational path for your children is a monumental decision — perhaps one of the biggest parenting choices you will ever make. There are a lot of options, and sometimes it can feel impossible to know which one is right for your child. When two parents disagree on the way forward, this can make the challenge seem even greater and can cause incredible strife.
We talk to parents regularly who are very interested in The Open School because we are an alternative model of education. But at some point in the conversation, we ask about their spouse’s view on education and hear a loud sigh.
“He is much more traditional than I am.”
“She thinks our kids won’t be able to get into college if we go an alternative route.”
“He’s worried the kids will fall behind.”
We get it. There are a lot of concerns when it comes to your child’s education and alternative models are pretty unfamiliar to most parents. It’s completely understandable to react with some degree of suspicion about a model you don’t know much about and didn’t experience yourself.
So, to help you navigate this unfamiliar territory, we’ve designed this prospective parent’s tool kit. In the articles below you will find self-evaluations, invitations to help begin an open conversation, and additional resources to help you find the right model of education for your family. Whether you are curious about whether The Open School is a good fit for your family, or you are having disagreement with your partner over the merits of an alternative education, we hope these materials will be of some assistance.
*For best results, we recommend you go through each article in order. If you have a question that is not answered in these materials, please contact us to make a suggestion for future resources we can provide.